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Head-to-head · Secure Notes Apps

Joplin vs Standard Notes

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Joplin #1 in Secure Notes Apps 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Joplin
Standard Notes #2 in Secure Notes Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Standard Notes

Joplin leads on 0 checks, Standard Notes on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreJoplin · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Joplin

Joplin scores higher on our rubric for secure notes apps: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Joplin is the better fit for broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms. Standard Notes is the better fit for cross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors.

  • Joplin fits best

    Broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms

  • Standard Notes fits best

    Cross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors

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Side by side

Feature Joplin 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Standard Notes 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #1 in Secure Notes Apps #2 in Secure Notes Apps
Best for Broad, low-cost encrypted notes across platforms Cross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price €2.40/mo $90/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Compliance GDPR, 2FA GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 7 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Joplin 2/3 · Standard Notes 2/3
Offline access ✓ ✓
Open source ✓ ✓
File attachments Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Encryption model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported platforms web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension, API web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android
Export formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free, open-source app with offline-first local storage
  • End-to-end encrypted sync with several storage integrations
  • Broad platform coverage, attachments, sharing, and Markdown support
  • End-to-end encryption covers notes and files
  • Works offline and syncs across unlimited devices on the free plan
  • Paid plans add rich editors, revision history, and encrypted storage
Cons
  • Basic limits storage to 2 GB and attachments to 10 MB
  • Advanced sharing and collaboration require Joplin Cloud
  • Some features, including AI tools, are optional Cloud capabilities
  • Rich text, Markdown, and other advanced editors require a paid plan
  • Professional costs $120 per year
  • Read-only note sharing; no real-time collaborative editing
Our verdict

Joplin is a free, open-source note-taking and to-do application for individuals and teams. Its offline-first design stores notes locally and supports Markdown, notebooks, tags, full-text search, and attachments such as images, videos,…

Read the review →

Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted notes app for people who want private writing and organization across web, desktop, and mobile. Its free Standard plan includes unlimited device sync, plain text notes, offline access, tags, and…

Read the review →
  1. JoplinSecure Notes Apps 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Standard NotesSecure Notes Apps 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Joplin — where it wins

    • Free, open-source app with offline-first local storage
    • End-to-end encrypted sync with several storage integrations
    • Broad platform coverage, attachments, sharing, and Markdown support

    Where it doesn't

    • Basic limits storage to 2 GB and attachments to 10 MB
    • Advanced sharing and collaboration require Joplin Cloud
    • Some features, including AI tools, are optional Cloud capabilities

  • Standard Notes — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption covers notes and files
    • Works offline and syncs across unlimited devices on the free plan
    • Paid plans add rich editors, revision history, and encrypted storage

    Where it doesn't

    • Rich text, Markdown, and other advanced editors require a paid plan
    • Professional costs $120 per year
    • Read-only note sharing; no real-time collaborative editing

More comparisons

All secure notes apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update